County seeks input on trail expansion plan

WEST CHESTER — Residents who like to walk or ride a bike are invited to attend a final public meeting on a regional plan to connect central Chester County municipalities via an expanded trail network.

On Thursday, Feb. 28, the county Planning Commission will host the meeting at the West Whiteland Municipal Building in Exton. There, planners will present final plans for the bicycle and pedestrian trails intended to connect the town centers of West Chester, Downingtown and Exton.

The plan includes costs of $45 million in infrastructure improvements such as bike lanes, multi-use trails, and shared roadways for more than 200 miles of roadways, trails, and sidewalks in West Chester, East Bradford, Downingtown, East Caln, West Whiteland, West Goshen and East Goshen.

The intent to is make the central county area a more bikeable and walkable community through the Chester County Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation Plan, which began development in March.

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“We have heard from a broad cross-section of residents,” said Randy Waltermyer, the transportation project manager at the county Planning Commission. “There has been very strong interest from the community for these type of improvements,” from young children and college students who hope to be able to bike to school, to weekend walkers who want to have a little exercise in their day, he said.

Meeting attendees will have an opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns and ideas regarding the plan and its impact on the entire study area.

The public information meeting will feature plans for more than 37 miles of new trails, 21 miles of proposed bike lanes, and 62 miles of additional sidewalks in the region, including the proposed extension of the popular Chester Valley Trail from West Whiteland to the center of Downingtown. Cost estimates, a list of priority projects, and an action plan of recommendations will also be presented.

“The way a community is designed, built, and maintained determines its walkability and bikablity,” said Margaret Rivello, the county’s health department director. “Even when you do not perceive these things, they affect your likelihood of walking.

“The place you remember walking drew you outside, but the wrong environment can deter or even scare would-be pedestrians. Without sidewalks, crosswalks, pleasant scenery, a place to go, or the presence of other pedestrians, most people walk only as far as their cars,” she said.

Those who live, work, or play in the area are encouraged to drop by and share thoughts and ideas from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the meeting. A formal presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m.

The township building is located on Commerce Drive near Main Street at Exton on Route 100.